Flock Safety defends local control as ICE reportedly uses ALPR data without direct agreement

DANVILLE, Ill. — Flock Safety, a provider of automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology, is under scrutiny after a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request revealed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has accessed its surveillance network through local law enforcement agencies. 

According to documents obtained by 404 Media, law enforcement agencies across the country have used Flock Safety’s ALPR system to conduct immigration-related searches, citing reasons such as ICE and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). This access occurred despite ICE not having a formal contract with Flock Safety. 

Flock Safety responds to ICE surveillance concerns 

When asked about the informal access, Flock Safety’s Communications Director Holly Beilin told Security Systems News (SSN): 

“Flock supports democratically-authorized governing bodies to determine what public safety means for their community. In some communities, that may mean enforcing immigration violations. In others, this is not legally or socially acceptable.” 

Flock Safety emphasized that it does not control how individual communities use its surveillance technology. The company has deployed more than 5,000 ALPR cameras in 42 states, with many local police departments joining its growing network. 

Privacy and civil liberties in focus 

The revelation has reignited debates about surveillance, data privacy, and civil liberties. Critics argue that the use of ALPR data for immigration enforcement—especially without direct agreements—raises serious ethical and legal questions. 

Flock Safety maintains that its products are customizable and transparent. Agencies can choose which National Crime Information Center (NCIC) alerts to receive, including the option to opt out of immigration-related alerts. They can also control data sharing and retention policies. 

Beilin added “We’ve made accountability and transparency built-in features to every Flock product, requiring search justifications and providing indefinitely-saved audit reports."